New England

Q&A with August’s Artist of the Month — Moniker

Posted on:

Deli NE: How did the band start?

Moniker: As a project, Moniker has been in the works since late 2008, when Socrates moved back to Boston after living in New York City for a while, but the current line-up is only a little over a year old. Luke and Socrates met at one of the very first Wadzilla Mansion shows in early 2010, just as the band was in the hunt for a new bassist. Peter ended up finding an ad on Craigslist looking for a fill-in drummer, and joined the band full-time soon after. At the time, Allston was re-paving the streets outside the house, and being from New York Peter really didn’t have much of an idea about which areas of Boston were safe. So he’s driving up this strange place with the street looking like a war zone, thinking he’s going to get killed… that was last summer, and he has yet to find out whether that’s bound to happen or not.

Click here to read the rest of the interview with Moniker.

–Chrissy Prisco

NYC

NYC Artists on the rise: Idgy Dean Record Release at Pianos on 08.18

Posted on:

Using her Kate Bush-y soprano for intricate vocal parts, and supporting it with all sort of musical influences – ranging from garage rock to dream-pop and even post-rock – Brooklynite Idgy Dean (real name Lindsay Sanwald) creates poppy DIY music that’s original and hard to pinpoint. Her new EP "Heart & Lung" showcases a promising vulcanic creativity, which you’ll be able to witness live on August 18, when she’ll celebrate her record release at Pianos.

Chicago

YAWN “Acid”

Posted on:

YAWN has premiered the video for their track "Acid" via Rolling Stone. It comes from their new album "Open Season" which comes out August 30th.

YAWN will be performing at Schubas on 8/30 and at Metro with Mates of States on 9/30.

.

Chicago

Dolphins Swimming

Posted on:

The latest project from Travis Lee Wiggins (Essex Channal, The Salts, and others) is called Dolphins Swimming. This is primarily him with help on violin by Allison Trumbo and Elisabeth Victoria Johnson. The thirteen track project will be released on Sept 23rd, but you can stream here now. The album explores the indie-pop side of traditional country western music. The always prolific Wiggins is also releasing a 5-track bonus ep on the 23rd. Once again an abundance of great tunes from this wonderful local musician.

Dolphin Swimming – "Country"

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “Holy Ghost” – Drgn King

Posted on:

Below is the new music video from Drgn King for “Holy Ghost” the lead single from their upcoming yet untitled full-length album. It was directed by Dan King. In the video, you get a nice tour of Philly with all its phreaks and most of them seem to be following front man Dominic Angelella. ;o) Look out for the LP to drop this fall. (Photo by Brandi Lukas)
 

Philadelphia

Strand of Oaks Announce North American Tour w/Crooked Fingers

Posted on:

Strand of Oaks (a.k.a. Timothy Showalter and now Joe Lazas on guitar & Deven Craige on bass) recently announce North American tour dates supporting Crooked Fingers. The trio will make their Philly debut on Wednesday, November 2 at Johnny Brenda’s (hopefully with Pattern Is Movement’s Chris Ward on drums). You can check out the rest of their tour schedule below.

 
Strand of Oaks North American Tour Dates w/Crooked Fingers:
10/27 Grey Eagle – Asheville, NC
10/28 Pilot Light – Knoxville, TN
10/29 Evening Muse – Charlotte, NC
11/01 IOTA – Arlington, VA
11/02 Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
11/03 Maxwell’s – Hoboken, NJ
11/04 Mercury Lounge – New York, NY
11/06 TT the Bear’s Place – Cambridge, MA
11/07 Casa Del Popolo – Montreal, QC
11/08 The Drake Hotel – Toronto, ON
11/09 Magic Stick – Detroit, MI
11/11 Schuba’s – Chicago, IL
11/12 Cactus Club – Milwaukee, WI
11/13 Triple Rock Social Club – Minneapolis, MN
11/14 Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
11/15 Larimer Lounge – Denver, CO
11/23 Bottom of the Hill – San Francisco, CA
11/25 The Echo – Los Angeles, CA
11/26 Casbah – San Diego, CA
12/01 Mohawk – Austin, TX
12/02 Fitzgerald’s – Houston, TX
12/03 One Eyed Jacks – New Orleans, LA
 
L.A.

R&B duo Inc. satisfies ’80s nostalgia with modern twist

Posted on:

Inc. is joining the ranks of artists like Janelle Monáe, Rapael Saadiq and Robin Thicke who are instilling class back into R&B. While over-produced artists dominate commercial R&B radio stations, these artists are choosing honest lyrics and musicianship over gaudy productions styles. Produced by Andrew and Daniel Aged, the LA-based brother duo that makes up Inc., is a great match for those feeling nostalgic for ’80s R&B with a modern touch. The three songs found on the recently released debut EP, entitled "3," are smooth and silky in every possible way. There is an obvious Prince influence with whispered vocals and a subtle bounce to the music, but it still sounds fresh and natural. Inc. knows how to make the music flow in an effortless way and does not force anything on the listener.

Although musically the brothers have very little in common with Top 40 artists, they are no strangers to that world. Before Andrew and Daniel joined forces and started Inc., formally known as Teen Inc., they individually recorded and toured with artists like 50 Cent, Elton John, Pharrell Williams, Beck, Cee-Lo, and Heavy D, in addition to their contemporaries Raphael Saadiq and Robin Thicke. Once forming Inc., the brothers have shared the stage with Os Mutantes and Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. With such an extensive background, it will be interesting to see what the brothers come up with on their full-length album to be released next year. – Karla Hernández

NYC

Ticket Giveaway: Thievery Corporation 8/20 @ Kastles Stadium

Posted on:

DC’s lords of electronic music Thievery Corporation released Culture Of Fear in June and are currently touring the US in support of it. The duo of Rob Garza & Eric Hilton came to be in 1996 and have always kept that DIY Dischord inspiration flowing through their vast discography. And of course they are making a stop by home at Kastles Stadium at the Wharf on Saturday 8/20, and they want to make sure you are there! So we’ve got passes to give away to one lucky reader. All you have to do is email us (please include first/last name), and let us know what your favorite song by Thievery Corporation is and why, by 5 PM on Thursday August 18. The winner will be chosen at random, emailed back, and announced on this blog.

Check out their video for "Take My Soul" off of Culture of Fear, featuring vocalist Lou Lou.

Philadelphia

The Troc Has Filed for Bankruptcy Protection!

Posted on:

This is crazy! But we are not surprised. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Trocadero Theatre has filed for bankruptcy protection requesting “to obtain a breathing spell from creditors while it negotiates a restructuring of its debts”. Owner, Joanna Pang, noted that the high pay out to Ticketmaster for every show combined with declining ticket sales and litigation costs (that are not related) has affected the venue’s cash flow. You can read the rest of the article HERE or check out the petition (index number: US BC E.Pa. 11-16432). Oh Ticketbastard, will your reign of terror ever end!?!

NYC

Case Studies- The Solo Project of Jesse Lortz

Posted on:

Though Seattle’s folk favorites Dutchess & The Duke have folded, the beat goes on for frontman Jesse Lortz.  Lortz is back with a new solo album under the guise of Case Studies.  The World is Just a Shape to Fill the Night is a venerable attempt to instantiate Lortz into the upper echelons of talented songwriters who’ve struck it out alone- Leonard Cohen may be a stretch, but certainly Townes Van Zandt comparisons can be within reach.  Recorded with Greg Ashley (Gris Gris) and with help from friends including Crystal Stilts’ Keegan Cooke on drums and guitar, The World is Just a Shape to Fill the Night is a well-tempered solo debut that slowly sinks its hooks into you with repeated listens.  The album is out now on Sacred Bones.